Change Default Install Location Windows 10 [Tutorial]
369Change Default Install Location Windows 10 [Tutorial]
By default, Windows installs all the programs in C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86) directory depending on the type of Windows 10 and the program you are installing.
First of all, we will need to know the consequences that may happen if we change the program files location. Mainly the program files folder is put there for a good reason, if you move it and all your programs will be moved to another location you may experience some system errors after a while.
In Windows 10, users can select where new Windows apps from the Store will install and save data to by default instead of on the default Windows "This PC (C)" drive location.
You can select to install new Windows apps to any internal or external drive, including SD cards, USB drives, and USB flash drives. You cannot use mapped network drives, and you can only use one location at a time to save apps to.
Windows 10 will only install new apps to the currently selected location. Existing apps do not get moved to the new location by default, but you can select to move apps to another drive.
If you disconnect the drive you selected to install Windows apps to, then any app installed to that drive will no longer work until the drive is connected again.
If you disconnect the drive you selected to install Windows apps to, then Windows will install new apps to This PC until the drive is connected again. Any apps installed to "This PC" during this time will remain on "This PC", and will not be moved to the other location.
Window will create the folders below on the root of the drive you selected to install new apps on. When a new Windows app from the Store is installed to the selected location, Windows 10 will create a WindowsApps folder at that location. The files and folders for apps in the WindowsApps folder will be encrypted with EFS, so no one but your account is able to access the data.
You might want to change the default installation directory if your “C” drive is running out of free space. While some programs allow you to select the install drive and directory, most programs don’t offer the option to select installation drive. For instance, setup of antivirus programs like Kaspersky Internet Security and Norton doesn’t offer an option to select the default installation directory during the product installation.
This tutorial will apply for computers, laptops, desktops,and tablets running the Windows 10 operating system (Home, Professional, Enterprise, Education) from all supported hardware manufactures, like Dell, HP, Acer, Asus, Toshiba,Lenovo, and Samsung).